Why are there so few people who can spell properly?

Question

Why are there so many people on here who seem to be incapable of spelling properly, or even constructing proper sentences? Is it because people are rushed, sneaking it in at work? Is txtin killin off ur typin skls? Or what? Let's have some theories!!

Answer 1

I think people can't be arsed to spell properly as it's not an official letter to anyone important. If it was an official letter/memo to your boss/another department, then you'd make it neat and tidy. If it's a post-it to your workmate, then you'd scribble a bit. Same thing on here. I don't mind really, as long as it's legible. If it makes no sense, I'll criticize them on it. I try to type correctly as it's all practice, and I'm not much of a typer, I'm an engineer, not a clerk. Besides, it makes me look more intelligent ;-P

Answer 2

I think the questioner is asking about spelling generally, and not on these pages.I agree with the writer who said that some people can spell, and some can do figures.I come into this category. My spelling is generally good, but my figures have always been rubbish. I have often said that I can add up a column of figures 3 times and get 3 separate wrong answers! Make of that what you will, but I have got by one way or another. I was 10 years old when the War started, and evacuated from :London going to 6 different schools during the War, but can still remember words we were taught to spell at that time. I won't tell you what my maths result was on leaving school !
That's enough for now I think. A lot of it is due to poor teaching in modern schools.

Answer 3

Personally I have dyslexia which mainly affects my spelling and so I do have sympathy with some of the bad spellers on here. However, I have realised that there is a spell check button above the answer box which takes about a second to use, so really don't get why more people haven't found it or lack the ability to click on it and use it.

As for text speak when writing, it is just lazy. I worry sometimes that our language will evolve (as languages always have) and spellings like "thru" and "tho" will actually become standard and we will lose some of the words that make our language so interesting.

Answer 4

Yes, texting has kiled some peoples brain cells. Also, people have gotten to be really lazy; just like the level of obesed people have skyrocketed, so has the level of lazy people. Another thing, people have a tendency to spell or write exactly as a word is pronounced or how they talk. Lastly, yes, people are at work sneaking on Yahoo Answers and don't really have time to spell check and stuff. I know that is my problem at times. However, although i am at work now, I still used proper english, grammer, etc.

Answer 5

Just pure laziness on their part.
Their isn't really an excuse as there is a "Check Spelling" box available to use on Yahoo answers before you submit your answer.
I would be the first to admit that my spelling isn't the greatest around as I do make the odd mistake but at least I bother to check it.

Words I misspelled above: ` befor` `lasyness` I always have a problem leaving the E of the word before, I dont know why but its one of those things but the spell checker worked.

As for text speak I cant stand getting a message like: "Hi m8 wot u up 2 fan C a BR l8ter C U in D pub" as I spend 5 minutes trying to decipher the language back to English. Why not write: " Hi Rich, what are you up to later, would you like to meet up and have a beer later?"

Frustrating ill educated chav culture

Answer 6

It is the new generation that do think it matters if you can spell or not abbreviations are used and easier than having to think.
Maybe I am just become old and not tolerant to change soon we will not speak at all it will be e mails and text messages.

Then will these people be in high powered jobs unable to spell unless it is abbreviated,thank goodness death is fast approaching me it really is a different world to what I grew up in.

Maybe technology will go so far and then explode or maybe the machines will take over completely.
Sorry to be so pessimistic and gloomy

Answer 7

I firmly believe that although the' No Child left Behind ' policy is good for the kids, it is also playing a vital role here. I know from experience that teachers today (1990- present ) don't have the time needed to address to kids on a one to one basis. The curriculum is mandated to ensure no child fails, therefore, no child is pushed to become a sucess in the ways that the "older generation" was taught..... e.g. mispelled sentences are dismissed alltogether, even in English class and is being relpaced w/ "inventive" spelling....... my child must spell correctly!!!! Ebonics is not an alternative for me, neither is "inventive" spelling.... If parents realized the fault here is not the child's, we could probably make a difference.

Answer 8

It's a pretty good question, and the answers mostly suffice the task, but I think there's something more to consider. While TMing, IMing, and other cyber activities condense our language, many find it a shame and mourn the loss - but I think it is inevitable. Just like "Olde English" is obsolete, 19th and 20th century English is now losing its constituents too. I don't so much lament the change in language, but I do sense a loss in the ability of many to communicate effectively. And I regret that, because that's where misunderstanding festers, which feeds hostility. Listening to people struggling to say something - but unable to mutter much more than; "uh, yeah, like ya know?!..." is pretty disturbing.

Answer 9

I used to have a problem with those who misspelled, but I've
noticed a few of my own answers/questions with typos. So I've
lightened up on them. Plus I've also realized, some people are
better with numbers than words. They can spell but numbers are
their thing. I hate numbers & I often make simple mistakes in
math. I chalk it to the fact, I hate math & go too fast, not really
interested. It could also be a Right Brain/ Left Brain thing.

Answer 10

Good question, it's very annoying. I think it is a combination of:
- people like to be the first to answer, so rush
- people genuinely can't spell
- people can't type
- people don't proof read their answers (or use the spell check feature provided)
- they are using this site when/where they are not supposed to
- they don't care
- lots of people use this site and English isn't their first language (which is fair enough)

PS Agree with Emma C, thought I was the only one! Although I think you mean "you're" and not "your" ;op